New Delhi: Amid violent protests in Bihar over Centre’s new military recruitment scheme, Agnipath which saw torching of trains and blockade of railway tracks resulting in cancellation of many trains, the East Central Railways has now started to regulate train operations on the route.
As per the new schedule, trains passing through or reaching East Central Railway Jurisdiction will operate from 8 pm on June 19 to 4 am on June 20. Train operations will then resume at 8 pm on June 19 till 8 pm on June 20.
On Saturday, the Railways cancelled 369 trains due to agitation against the Agnipath scheme for recruitment in armed forces. The Centre's announcement of the Agnipath scheme — which proposes to recruit soldiers for four years and retire 75 percent of them without pension and other social security benefits after the end of their term — has been met with violent protests by youths in various parts of the country.
The railways' East Central zone, headquartered in Bihar's Hajipur, said that in view of the prevailing situation, 32 trains have been cancelled in the state.
"To ensure safety and security of passengers and railway property, trains originating in other zones will ply through ECR only after 8 PM on Saturday and continue till 4 AM on Sunday. Movement of such trains will be restored at 8 PM on Sunday," said ECR Chief Public Relations Officer Virendra Kumar